How to set up an HTTPS proxy server
One of the online topics is data privacy and security. Many regular users of the internet lack a fair idea of safeguarding their data. But the expert professionals of the web can effectively work for implementing HTTPS proxy servers for the purpose. It helps the users to take care of their privacy with the freedom of unrestricted internet usage. It is the sole reason for the increasing popularity of HTTPS proxy servers. But the benefits are not limited to just that. It is also an efficient way to boost the workflow of your project development.
Proxy server – what is it?
To keep things simple, the proxy server can be referred to as the middleman serving between the visited website and the used browser. Though the detailed process may be a bit complex, users are not required to have in-depth knowledge of its working for day-to-day activities. But one thing that users must know is that similar to any other website on the internet, HTTPS can be used to encrypt the data that is passed through the proxy servers as well.
Why use HTTPS proxy server?
The benefits of using HTTPS encryption for proxy are certain, especially the anonymity and the privacy it offers to the browsers. Apart from that, the proxy servers with HTTPS encryption can also help to block ads, enhance security and help in testing geo-location. It can also provide you with an efficient solution to data caching. HTTPS proxy server is one of the most valuable tools of development in the market as well.
Elements needed to set up HTTPS proxy servers
It may appear that the set up of an HTTPS proxy server can incur a lot of costs. But in reality, implementing it can be very cheap. Below mentioned are the required elements for the process:
- Web host
You must consider a web host that has the following features:
- Apache server with installed PHP 5 or higher version
- Support for cURL
- Access to writing public-HTML
- Proxy setup ability
- Data encryption
Once you have found the right web host, you need to establish a way of encrypting data that will not be barred to pass through the proxy. It is similar to any standard website and employing SSL certificate that is suitable for the purpose can help the task. The options and vendors for the purpose are countless and you can easily find a wide range of certificates at great competitive prices.
- Proxy script
It is the last element that you will need for setting up the proxy server. Generally, PHP is used to code these scripts and a wide range of options are easily available on Google or the other search engines. If you are choosing a free script, then you must be careful as there have been reports that state the developers have released some of the scripts with a far deep-seated motive. But it is not the case for all. Glype and Squid are some of the best-known proxy scripts that are both free and reliable. Squid is also known to be a solution to stellar proxy caching.
How to set up HTTPS proxy server
Once all the essential elements have been gathered, you need to confirm that the server is prepared for the task. Now it is time for the main set up step that most of the web professionals in the market are quite adept with.
- Subdomain setup using SSL
You need to get done with the setup process for the subdomain. You must confirm that the SSL certificate you are aiming to use is up and working for the particular URL in consideration.
- Proxy script download
If you have already downloaded the proxy script you chose to work with, you will need to unzip the compressed file with the archived data. But this is not necessary for all as some may come in a ready-to-use form.
- Feeding the files to the folders of the subdomain
File Transfer Protocol (FTP) is one of the most ideal ways for uploading the files to the folder of the subdomain. You can find a lot of managers for FTP services if you make a search for it in case you do not have a preferred one already.
- Tweaking the admin settings of the subdomain
Append the URL using admin.php and navigate to the administration screen of the proxy subdomain. Customize the settings as necessary depending on your needs and the proxy script you chose.
- Security signals
The setup process is almost complete. But you need to confirm the same. A secure website has an indicator of its own that you can use to check if it is done. The green padlock in the search bar along with https://considered_url can confirm that your set up process is complete.
That is all and you are done. If you do things the right way, you can have a well set up, secure and working HTTPS proxy server in about 15 minutes at the maximum. You can check out the web for more information on the topic.
